15 in Bihar charged for boycotting Dalits

Patna, Feb 5 (IANS) A case has been lodged against 15 people in Bihar on charges of socially boycotting dozens of Dalit families and causing them mental torture, police said Tuesday.

The 15 include a panchayat head in Kishanganj district, Anwar Alam.

According to police, the Dalits alleged that Alam and the others decided last week to boycott them after they complained that money meant for welfare schemes had been diverted.

The Dalits said they were denied the use of water from handpumps and food from shops. Their children were threatened not to attend school.

Alam and the others denied the charges.